Large Iowa Pork Plant Closes Down Due To COVID-19

Tyson Foods in Waterloo, Iowa has announced that they are suspending operations indefinitely due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

According to Dakota News Now, The Tyson plant in Waterloo employs nearly 3,000 workers and can process about 19,500 hogs per day, about 4% of the U.S. pork processing capacity.

The company warned Wednesday that it's closing of the Waterloo, Iowa, plant would be a blow to hog farmers and potentially disrupt the nation’s pork supply.

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Tyson had kept the plant open in recent days over the objections of the mayor and other local officials. The announcement comes as employers have struggled to contain the virus in large meatpacking plants. Several other packing plants have temporarily closed.

Tyson stated in a press release that Affected Waterloo team members will continue to be compensated while the plant is closed. The timing of resumption of operations will depend on a variety of factors, including the outcome of team member testing for COVID-19.